Family Literacy Night
Early Childhood: Early Literacy Starts at Home
Session Description
Early literacy skill building begins at home, with families as young children’s first and forever teachers. In this session, we will explore ways families can support early literacy, focusing on communication, language development activities and engaging children with books. We will also talk about the importance of exposing all children to diversity in literature.
Presenter
- Dr. Tamilah Richardson, Director, Office of Early Childhood Learning, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Webinar RecordingAssessment Supports: An Explanation of Your Student’s SOL Reports
Session Description
This session will provide parents and families with the necessary information to understand your student’s SOL test reports. The intent of the session is to assist parents in using the information in the reports to provide support at home and to guide conversations with their child’s teacher.
Presenter
- Jason Ellis, Test Results Utilization Specialist, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Family Field Trips: Connecting Literacy to the Commonwealth
Session Description
In this session, participants will take an in-depth look at the Virginia Standards of Learning for secondary English and learn how to support student learning by integrating the standards into everyday activities at home and in the community. Specifically, this presentation focuses on learning opportunities for excursions within the Commonwealth of Virginia that are aligned to the state standards. Parents, families, and community members are encouraged to attend.
Presenters
- Tiffany Lewis, Education Coordinator for Culturally Responsive Learning, Henrico County Public Schools
- Ashley Walker, Assistant Principal, Henrico County Public Schools
Materials
Family Engagement: Supports for the Home
Session Description
When our children are doing school work at home, whether they're only doing their homework or they're utilizing a full virtual learning model, parents often find it to be a struggle. Join us for a short presentation that will address various learning issues that our kids encounter, such as attentiveness, procrastination, frustration, organization, and rushing through their work. We’ll also discuss strategies that can be quickly implemented at home.
Presenter
- Tracy Lee, Coordinator of Family Engagement Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Virginia State Literacy Association: Choosing Books for the Children in your Lives
Session Description
This session will provide ideas for families and community members about selecting and sharing books with children. We will share ideas and provide guidance about what to look for when choosing reading materials for the children in their lives. We will not only explore printed books, but also discuss using audiobooks, e-books, and other online reading materials. Participants will be provided with information about where to find reading materials for children and ideas for making connections with those materials.
Presenters
- Tammy Williams, Division Level Reading Coach, Tazewell County Public Schools
- Jennifer Floyd, Reading Specialist, Rockbridge County Public Schools
Materials
Virginia Association for Teachers of English
Session Description
Join the Virginia Association of Teachers of English as we talk about books and resources. Learn about our Literacy Explosion and find out what your local public library may be offering. We’ll also share opportunities to enter writing contests and celebrate literacy at local book festivals.
Presenters
- Cheryl Golden, English Teacher, Hanover County Public Schools
- Heidi Branch, English Teacher, Loudoun County Public Schools
Materials
Equity & Community Engagement
Session Description
Culture strongly influences the attitudes, values, and behaviors that students and teachers bring to the instructional process, making culturally responsive educators necessary for the equitable achievement of today’s increasingly diverse student population. The Office of Equity and Community Engagement is strategically focused on advancing equity through culturally responsive practice. Join this session to learn more about culturally responsive literacy instruction that enhances learning, improves student experience, and advances equity.
Presenter
- Jenné Nurse, Equity Coordinator, Office of Equity and Community Engagement, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Understanding Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
Session Description
Phonological awareness (PA) and phonemic awareness are foundational reading skills that are essential for learning to read. Learn what these skills look like, why they are important, and how parents and caregivers may reinforce these skills at home.
Presenter
- Kim Bausum-Brown, Dyslexia and Specialized Reading Specialist, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
An Introduction to Rubrics and Scoring
Session Description
Rubrics describe the criteria necessary for success on a task, product, or assessment and are used to evaluate different levels of achievement based on evidence presented in a specific sample of student work. In this session, we will look at some examples of rubrics used with Virginia students and talk about the differences between scoring and grading. Families will learn how their children can use the descriptive feedback in a rubric to self-assess and make adjustments during the learning process.
Presenter
- Holli Cook, Assessment Coordinator, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
World Languages: Literacy, Biliteracy, and the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy
Session Description
Join VDOE World Languages and International Education Specialist, Dr. Lisa Harris, as she discusses the importance of literacy, the gift of multiple languages, and supporting literacy and biliteracy in the home.
Presenter
- Lisa Harris, Specialist for World Languages and International Education, Office of Humanities, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Strengthening Mathematical Literacy
Session Description
Join VDOE Mathematics Coordinator, Dr. Tina Mazzacanse, as she defines mathematical literacy and the important connects between literacy and understanding mathematics.
Presenter
- Tina Mazzacane, Mathematics Coordinator, Office of STEM, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
CASTL: Early Childhood Education Resource Hub Book Library
Session Description
Join Stephanie Adams and Caitlin Powell as they explore resources available for parents in the Early Childhood Education Resources Book Library.
Presenters
- Stephanie Adams, Project Manager, University of Virginia
- Caitlin Powell, Project Manager, University of Virginia
Materials
Fine Arts: Music and Literacy
Session Description
Join VDOE’s Fine Arts Specialist, Michelle Milligan as she shows the important connections between literacy and music.
Presenter
- Michelle Milligan, specialist for Fine Arts, Office of Humanities, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Fine Arts: Visual Art and Literacy
Session Description
Join VDOE’s Fine Arts Coordinator, Kelly Bisogno as she highlights the connections between visual arts and literacy and how they work together.
Presenter
- Kelly Bisogno, Coordinator for Fine Arts, Office of Humanities, Virginia Department of Education
Materials
Health and Physical Education: Elementary
Session Description
Join Wayne Herninko, PE educators in Arlington Publich Schools as he demonstrates a way to get kids moving engaging in literacy activities.
Presenter
- Wayne Herninko, Elementary Physical Education Specialist, Arlington Public Schools
Materials
Health and Physical Education: Secondary
Session Description
Join Jenn Vedder, PE educator in Virginia Beach as she models the connections and importance of literacy in health and physical education.
Presenter
- Jenn Vedder, Secondary Physical Education Specialist, Virginia Beach Public Schools
Materials
PALS: Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening
Session Description
Join Lisa Tyree, PALS specialist at UVA as she explains the PALS screener and provides resources to support families at home.
Presenter
- Lisa Tyree, PALS Specialist, University of Virginia
Materials
Virginia Department of Education: Welcome Videos
Session Description
Join the VDOE English team as they provide an overview of K-12 literacy in Virginia and strategies for supporting kids of all ages at home.
Presenter
- Jill Nogueras, English Coordinator, Office of Humanities, Virginia Department of Education
- Colleen Cassada, Middle School Specialist, Virginia Department of Education